Top Places to View Holiday Lights In Philadelphia

The holiday season shines bright in Philadelphia

The holiday season shines bright in Philadelphia as attractions with glowing traditions both new and old.

Families have been flocking to Philadelphia for decades to enjoy the Macy’s Christmas Light Show, a holiday tradition since 1956 featuring more than 100,000 colorful lights. This year, the city’s outdoor displays are growing with the expanded Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest and the Franklin Square Holiday Festival & Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show.

Neighborhoods are transformed by spectacular decorations while regional attractions light up the beauty of the holiday.

To help you get into the spirit of the season, we’re shining a spotlight on a few of our favorite holiday light displays throughout the region.

EXPAND MAPCOLLAPSE MAP

The Macy’s Christmas Light Showat Macy’s Center City

November 28-December 31, 2014

CREDIT: G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia

A Philadelphia tradition since 1956, the Christmas Light Show at Macy’s in Center City illuminates a large wall inside the Wanamaker building, a National Historic Landmark, with almost 100,000 LED lights and finishes with sounds from the renowned Wanamaker Organ. While you're there, be sure to visit Dickens' Village featuring scenes from "Scrooge" and pose for a picture with Santa.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular

November 27, 2014-January 1, 2015

CREDIT: Courtesy of Comcast

Shown on the state-of-the-art Comcast Experience video wall at 58-story-tall Comcast Center, The Comcast Holiday Spectacular is family-friendly event filled with sights and sounds of the season. Now an annual holiday tradition, the 15-minute holiday experience takes visitors on a festive, musical journey featuring classic family favorites like Jingle Bell Rock_, _The Twelve Days of Christmas_ and a moment from _The Nutcracker_ performed by the Philadelphia Ballet. Shows begin at the top of the hour, every hour from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (except 5 p.m. on weekdays).

Brilliant bright display inspired by the imagination of Benjamin Franklin

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia

Winter nights are joyfully brighter this holiday season with Electrical Spectacle: A Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square, a free holiday nighttime light show that's bigger than ever in 2014. The dazzling spectacle features a 10-foot-tall kite made of lights that sparkle and spread the glow to more than 50,000 lights throughout the square. The show runs every 30 minutes between 4:30 and 8:00 p.m., weather permitting.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

Seasonal park on the Delaware River Waterfront

CREDIT: Delaware River Waterfront Corp.

Open through March 1The Delaware River Waterfront is getting into the winter spirit with the opening of the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. Building off the success of the summer’s Spruce Street Harbor Park, the revamped seasonal attraction features ice skating, food and drink, shopping and family-fun on the waterfront.

Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park

Three months of ice skating in the shadow of City Hall

CREDIT: M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

This winter, the transformation of the west side of City Hall continues with the Rothman Institute Ice Rink at the brand-new Dilworth Park. The rink operates seven days a week (including holidays) and will feature a warming tent, seasonal programming and a set of beautiful lights on trees throughout the park.

Holiday Lights at Boathouse Row

Traditional lighting on the Schuylkill River

CREDIT: R. Kennedy for GPTMC

One of Philadelphia’s most memorable nighttime vistas is that of Boathouse Row, made up of a dozen sculling clubs that line the Schuylkill River behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In 2009, new full-color, energy-efficient LED light nodes were hung to showcase the intricate architectural details of the clubs. Now a drive or stroll along the river results in an eye-popping lighting marvel that normally glows white but can change to celebrate a holiday or civic celebration, a charity appeal or a significant professional sporting win.

The Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Get into the holiday spirit in the heart of Philadelphia

CREDIT: M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

Inspired by traditional outdoor markets found throughout Europe, the Christmas Village in LOVE Park captures the spirit of the season. Charming wooden booths offer a wide selection of holiday gifts along with delicious food and drink. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the season and pose for a photo in front of the City of Philadelphia's official holiday tree.

Christmas at Rittenhouse Square

Illuminating Rittenhouse Square for the holidays

During the holidays, Rittenhouse Square boasts one of the largest Christmas trees in the city. Every year, locals and visitors pack the popular park for the ceremonial lighting of the Rittenhouse Square Christmas Tree, which is typically more than 30-feet-tall. Throughout the season, Rittenhouse Square is aglow with 5,000 colorful globes making a cheerful sight for holiday shoppers amongst the popular stores along Rittenhouse Row.

Jeweler's Row

Sparkles inside and out

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

The city’s Jewelers’ Row—comprising 300 retailers, wholesalers and craftsmen on Sansom Street between 7th and 8th Streets and on 8th Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets—features a light display rivaled only by the gems that adorn the shops’ windows.

Miracle on South 13th Street

Long-running neighborhood holiday tradition

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

In South Philly, just a few blocks off of bustling East Passyunk Avenue, the 1600 block of South 13th Street is known in Philadelphia as the Miracle on South 13th Street. The elaborate lights hung on neighborhood homes along this stretch, which has been a holiday-lights destination for more than a dozen years, is seriously a must-see.

Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular

South Philly lights up the holiday season

Venture into South Philly, specifically the 2700 Block of Smedley Street between 16th and 17th Streets and Moyamensing and Oregon Avenues, for a peak at a hidden holiday gem. You’ll see trees covered from head to toe in glowing color-shifting lights, gigantic blow-up Santas and all of the neighborly holiday cheer one could ask for this time of year.

Longwood Gardens Christmas

Dazzling lights highlight this incredible holiday celebration

CREDIT: Courtesy of Longwood Gardens

No holiday is complete without a visit to Longwood Gardens, where more than 500,000 twinkling lights and spectacular fountain shows compose a brilliant wonderland your family is sure to love. Gaze upon the large, starry snowflakes and icicles that sparkle throughout the gardens before warming up in heated conservatory with twenty “rooms” featuring festive displays of floral garlands, sparkling trees and more. Timed advance tickets are required and sell out quickly.

A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place

November 22-December 31 (Select Days)

CREDIT: Sesame Place

A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place® is a festive, family-friendly celebration with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street® friends. The park is transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, festive decorations and whirling rides. Get into the holiday spirit with special Christmas shows, savory Christmas menus, super holiday shopping and a visit with Santa in his Furry Workshop.

Linvilla Orchards

North Pole by way of Media, PA

For the holidays, Linvilla Orchards transforms into the North Pole — farm style. Get into the holiday spirit by cutting your own Christmas tree and doing a little shopping at the market that’s stocked with tasty holiday treats like hot mulled cider. Santa makes a guest appearance every Saturday and Sunday in December, and on select afternoons, visitors can sing along during Caroling Hayrides, complete with live music and apple cider.

Christmas In Peddler’s Village

November 27-December 28, 2014

CREDIT: Peddler's Village

Peddler’s Village will light up your holiday season with a fantastic display of nearly one million holiday lights. While you’re in a festive mood, explore more than 70 specialty shops — perfect for your holiday shopping — and eight restaurants. While you’re there, check out the spectacular Gingerbread House Competition and Display.

Christmas Snacktacular at Herr's Snack Factory

December 13-24, 2014

Responsible for one of the region’s most celebrated snack foods, the Herr’s Factory goes all-out for the Christmas Snacktacular. Families can enjoy hay rides, snack making and meet a real Reindeer during the celebration, which is centered around Herr's impressive holiday light display. The festive display features more than 400,000 lights arranged throughout the complex including “Big Red,” a 60-foot-tall Norway Spruce decorated with more than 1,500 red lights.

Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm

November 22, 2014-January 4, 2015

CREDIT: Shady Brook Farm

Millions of lights sparkle at Shady Brook Farm during the incredible Holiday Light Show. Experience the magical drive in your own car or hop on a moonlit hayride or horse and buggy. Monday through Thursday is when the real tractor hayrides will happen, but then Thursdays through Sundays, you’ll ride around the display in a horse-drawn carriage. Also, don’t forget to stop and get your picture taken with Santa at Santa’s Village. Reservations are recommended.